Outdoor torch safety cap

ABSTRACT

An outdoor torch safety cap including a pair of interlocked telescoping cylinders, a platform formed on the end of inner cylinder, an inner disc formed on the interior surface of the outer cylinder, multiple spaced tabs formed on the platform and on the inner disc, a compression spring disposed between the cylinders such that when the spring is compressed the tabs on the platform come into contact with the tabs on the inner disc to facilitate rotation of the inner cylinder, and an inner disc formed on the interior of the inner cylinder to prevent the escape of fuel when the safety cap is tightened over the fuel opening formed in the container top of an outdoor torch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to liquid fuel torches which are well suited for use in illuminating patios and other outdoor locations. In general, outdoor torches include a substantially barrel-shaped container for accommodating liquid fuel with a cup-shaped closing member mounted on the top of the fuel container. The closing member includes a central aperture through which a wick extends from the interior to the exterior of the container. The wick is lighted in a conventional fashion, and when it is desired to extinguish the flame, a snuffer cap, attached to the container, by a chain or other means, is placed over the wick to prevent oxygen from reaching the flame and thereby to extinguish the flame.

When the snuffer cap is placed over the wick, it typically fits loosely and not in a fluid-tight condition such that escape of the fuel is possible. If the torch is accidentally knocked over, fluid tends to escape from the container, causing a very hazardous condition. In fact, certain governmental entities have outlawed the sale of torches that do not have fluid-tight closing means to prevent the accidental escape of fuel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By this invention, a safety cap for use in connection with outdoor torches is provided and includes a pair of telescoping cylinders, a platform formed on the end of the inner container, an inner disc integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, multiple hooks extending upwardly from the platform through an aperture formed in the inner disc, multiple spaced tabs formed around the periphery of the outer surface of the platform, corresponding tabs formed on the outer periphery of the surface of the inner disc facing the platform, and a compression spring disposed between the platform and the inner disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional torch and safety cap combination according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a an enlarged perspective view of the safety cap;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the safety cap;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the safety cap;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the safety cap outer cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 1 designates a torch fuel container which is disposed within frame 2 and which in turn is positioned within hollow support post 3, all in a conventional manner. Container 1 includes top 4 with an aperture (not shown) disposed in the middle thereof with upwardly extending threads 5 positioned around the periphery of the aperture. A wick extends through the aperture, as is well known.

According to this invention, a safety cap is provided for the torch and is generally indicated by the letter C. Safety cap C includes outer cylinder 6 with inner disc 7 integrally formed on the interior thereof intermediate the ends of outer cylinder 6. Aperture 8 is formed in the middle of inner disc 7, as best shown in FIG. 5. Safety cap C further includes inner cylinder 9 with internal threads 10 formed at one end of inner cylinder 9 and platform 11 formed on the other end. Three hooks 12 are integrally joined to the outer surface of platform 11 and extend upwardly therefrom with fingers 13 formed, respectively, on the free ends thereof. Three tabs 14 are integrally formed in an equally spaced fashion around the periphery of the outer surface of platform 11. In similar fashion, equally spaced tabs 15 are integrally formed around the outer periphery of the lower surface of inner disc 7, as viewed in FIG. 5, which faces platform 11. To complete the basic structure of inner cylinder 9, impermeable inner disc 16 is formed on the inner surface of inner cylinder 9.

In order to form safety cap C, compression spring 17 at one end is positioned around hooks 12 with the other end extending into outer cylinder 6 and into an abutting relationship with the lower surface of inner disc 7. Outer cylinder 6 is then telescoped over inner cylinder 9 such that spring 17 is compressed causing hooks 12 to bow inwardly as they extend through aperture 8 formed in inner disc 7. The resilient nature of hooks 12 causes them to then flare outwardly after fingers 13 pass through aperture 8. The natural expansion of spring 17 causes inner cylinder 9 and outer cylinder 6 to move in opposite directions which, in turn, causes fingers 13, formed on the free ends of hooks 12, to come into overlapping relation with the outer surface of inner disc 7 around the periphery of aperture 8. Following this, O-ring 18 is inserted into inner cylinder 9 past threads 10 and into contact with inner disc 16.

When it is desired to extinguish the torch flame, snuffer cap 19, attached to chain 20, is placed over the flame in known manner. After the torch has cooled down and, in order to completely seal torch fuel container 1 against the accidental spillage of fuel, safety cap C is screwed onto threads 5 of container 1 which extend upwardly from top 4. This is accomplished by pressing outer cylinder 6 onto inner cylinder 9 which causes tabs 14 to overlap tabs 15 such that they are disposed generally in the same horizontal plane, as best shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, when outer cylinder 6 is rotated, tabs 14 and 15 come into contact so that inner cylinder 9 can be tightened or loosened onto threads 5, as desired. For convenience and when not in use, safety cap C is conveniently attached to frame 2 by means of S-shaped hook 21.

Therefore, by this invention an outdoor safety cap is provided which is convenient and easy to install and provides a reliable method to secure the torch against the accidental spillage of fuel. 

1. An outdoor torch safety cap comprising telescoping outer and inner cylinders, a platform secured to one end of said inner cylinder, an inner disc secured to the inner surface of said outer cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, at least one hook upstanding from one side of said platform, an aperture formed in said inner disc, a compression spring disposed between said platform and said inner disc, and said hook extending through said aperture.
 2. A safety cap according to claim 1 wherein a first tab is disposed on the periphery of said one side of said platform.
 3. A safety cap according to claim 2 wherein a second tab is disposed on said inner disc on the side facing said one side.
 4. A safety cap according to claim 3 wherein said first and second tabs are disposed in an overlapping relationship.
 5. A safety cap according to claim 1 wherein a finger 5 is formed on the free end of said hook
 6. A safety cap according to claim 5 wherein said finger overlaps said inner disc around the periphery of said aperture.
 7. A safety cap according to claim 1 wherein an aperture is formed in said outer cylinder and an S-shaped hook is disposed in said aperture formed in said outer cylinder.
 8. A safety cap according to claim 2 wherein multiple equally spaced tabs are disposed on the periphery of said one side of said platform.
 9. A safety cap according to claim 8 wherein multiple equally spaced tabs are disposed on said inner disc and face said one side.
 10. A safety cap according to claim 1 wherein multiple hooks extend upwardly from said platform.
 11. A safety cap according to claim 1 wherein an impermeable inner disc is formed on the inner surface of said inner cylinder.
 12. A safety cap according to claim 11 wherein said inner cylinder is interiorly threaded intermediate said impermeable inner disc and the end thereof opposite said platform. 